Consumers are eager to get their hands on wireless email, but want to control access and expect the service to be cheap, according to a new survey by Ipsos Public Affairs on behalf of Critical Path, a provider of messaging software and services.

The study, announced today, indicates as many as 40 million consumers would buy wireless email, but 82% of that number want to be able to choose who can reach them via email and 71% said ‘low cost’ was a very important feature of any wireless email service.

Sixty-three percent of those surveyed said ‘ease of use’ is an important factor and 53% want to be able to use a wireless email service on their existing handset without being forced to upgrade.

The survey of the consumer market shows many are not interested in using their personal cellphones to do business – two-thirds of those surveyed did not want to receive emails from an employer.

Almost half of those responding were aware of whether or not they currently have email capabilities available to them.

“There is a big opportunity for wireless carriers to drive data revenue with the consumer mobile email market, which is largely untapped,” said Mike Serbinis, CTO of Critical Path. “However, the key to success will be to listen to what consumers are saying and not just retro-fit enterprise-focused services. Consumer market segments, such as 18-24 year olds or mobile phone users over 35 who have high income but are not tech savvy, have different needs than business executive users. Carriers who offer a simple, affordable mobile email service that allows consumers to use their current phone and choose the messages that matter will reap the biggest rewards.”